SEVEN FOOD businesses, including four in Dublin's south city centre, were ordered to close in the last two months because they posed a threat to public health.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said the closure orders served by environmental health officers brought the total this year to 18. Such orders are served when there is, or there is likely to be, a "grave and immediate danger" to public health, according to the FSAI.
Last month, the restaurant Bá Mizu, Powerscourt Centre, South William Street, was ordered to close. This was the fifth food safety order issued against a premises in the centre since last October. A prohibition order was issued against Bá Mizu in October and a number of products, including soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, were withdrawn from sale there, a spokeswoman for the FSAI said.
Separately in November, closure orders were issued against three food businesses in the Powerscourt Centre - Café Fresh, Quiznos and La Corte - due to a cockroach infestation.The premises reopened after inspection by environmental health officers, the FSAI said yesterday.
Powerscourt Centre management could not be reached for comment. A spokeswoman for Bá Mizu said the kitchen had been closed several months ago because of ''structural issues'' and no food was being produced there. There had "never been an issue" with food hygiene at Bá Mizu.
Lara Lu Foods and Loose Green, Market Arcade, South Great George's Street, was also ordered to shut as was the Jewel in the Crown, South William Street.
Another order in August was served on Foodstall Ballingare, Castlerea, Co Roscommon. In July, closure orders were served on Crystal Supermart, Summerhill, Dublin and The Mucky Duck (kitchen and carvery only), Main Street, Celbridge, Co Kildare.